A COUPLE who love helping out at their local museum have been given an award for customer care.

Dorothy and Stanley Barker were delighted to receive the honour after 20 years as volunteer guides at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

For the past 12 years, they have also co-ordinated the guides' rota at the famous treasure house.

When any guide has been missing at short notice, they have often stepped in to help.

Mr and Mrs Barker, who live in Barnard Castle, were said to have given a vast amount of selfless service to help the museum. They regularly take coach parties around the galleries and explain all the priceless masterpieces and other exhibits.

The award was given by the Tyne and Wear Museums on behalf of the North-East Museum Service.

Mr and Mrs Barker, who also spend hours each week leading rambling groups around Teesdale and further afield, said it had always been a pleasure to help the museum and ensure that visitors enjoyed themselves.

They said they felt the award was for all the guides, who showed a lot of commitment.

A museum spokeswoman said its 37 guides gave a large amount of time and energy.

Museum volunteers Jo Angel and Margaret Harley were nominated in the category for collections care.